Myanmar's opposition leader celebrates birthday in freedom

YANGON, Myanmar — For the first time in nearly a decade, Myanmar democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi celebrated her birthday in freedom on Sunday, with supporters freeing symbolic caged birds as more than 50 state security agents watched from across the street.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate turned 66, and received one gift at Yangon's international airport: the arrival of her youngest son, Kim Aris, who lives in Britain and kissed his mother on arrival.

"If I were asked what I would wish on my birthday, I wish for peace, stability and prosperity in the country," Suu Kyi said in a brief address to supporters at her opposition party's headquarters in Yangon.

The celebration was attended by around 500 party members and supporters, who held candles in their hands as they wished Suu Kyi well. Across the street, more than 50 plainclothes police and intelligence agents took photos and videotaped those who came and went.

Suu Kyi has celebrated 15 birthdays in detention or house arrest over the past 22 years.